Seven Cabinet ministers visit Papua

Seven Cabinet ministers visit Papua

JAYAPURA, Papua: A group of seven Cabinet ministers visited Manokwari to deliver financial assistance to earthquake victims in the Manokwari regency.

The group, led by the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Yusuf Kalla, comprised the Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agiel Munawar, the Minister of Social Affairs Bachrtiar Chamsyah, the Minister of Education Abdul Malik Fadjar, the Minister of Health Achmad Suyudi, the Minister of Resettlement and Regional Infrastructure Sunarno and the Minister for Acceleration of Development of Indonesia's East Region Manuel Kaisiepo.

Kalla handed over Rp 1.5 billion to help rebuild hundreds of houses damaged by the earthquake that jolted the regency on Oct. 10, 2002.

At least eight people in Ransiki and Oransbari subdistricts were killed and dozens of others were injured in the disaster.

From Papua, the ministers were scheduled to visit North Maluku to meet with refugees from Ternate Island. --JP